lee058
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Post by lee058 on Aug 26, 2016 1:05:35 GMT -5
What’s on your mind — how to make kugel? this week’s Torah reading? life goals? prayer? We are all engaged in weight loss/weight maintenance journeys and we are all Jewish or at least interested in Judaism. We like to eat, we like to discuss. It is our goal here to provide each other support on our journeys, to share experiences, to call on our rich cultural heritage and texts, and to help each other grow spiritually.
Some of us take weekly turns starting the thread:
Angelika
Holly
Lee
Louise
Lynne
Peachy
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lee058
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Posts: 23,285
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Post by lee058 on Aug 26, 2016 1:20:02 GMT -5
Hi everybody. Once again, I'm up in the middle of the night and thinking about our thread, so here I am. Hope you are all peacefully asleep.
It's been an exciting and interesting week here for me; I hope everyone has gotten something out of our sharing!! Thank you again for taking part.
For today's topic, I couldn't decide which one I wanted us to discuss: food or spirituality. So, how about if we talk about both? How do food and/or spirituality help you be happier?
For me, I get the best of both worlds when I combine the two and practice mindful preparation and eating. If I can concentrate on my food and at the same time be grateful for it, that is a step in the right direction towards not gobbling it down (!!). When I cook with love and care, it is different than when I just throw things together, especially if I am feeling negative emotions. Preparing food is one way that I show love towards my family and friends. It doesn't have to be anything fancy; when I go to play Scrabble with my neighbors, I usually bring fruit, but I am bringing it with affection. I am not crazy about cooking, but when I do it, I try to focus on making it nice for everyone. When I help H cook, I try to do it graciously, carefully, and with positive conversation. This way, we are sharing the experience and it feels good.
DS likes to make sandwiches, salads, frozen pizza, and the like. I always praise and thank him for doing so, and he beams from being appreciated.
A thought: Isn't that what everyone wants, re food and everything else? Just to be appreciated.
Anyway, I'll write more later. Have a peaceful rest of the night, and a peaceful day if you read this during the daytime, Lee
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Post by hollygail on Aug 26, 2016 8:00:40 GMT -5
Just a quick note right now (I'll BBL for more). A friend (in the "shrink" field) told me that men want to feel appreciated and women want to feel loved. She stressed that it's more important for a man to be told he's appreciated than to be told you love him (and the other way around for women). Maybe that plays into your DS's beaming too.
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Post by louise on Aug 26, 2016 8:08:41 GMT -5
It's true that the things I wolf down in some urgent state (bell goes off in my head, gotta have it) is about the furthest from spiritual food prep and appreciation as you can get! Similarly when I know I'm eating to be stuffed (self medicating) it is really not in my self interest and by definition not spiritual (can't be spiritual to hurt yourself). I know I'm approaching this from the opposite side but that's where I am!
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Post by peachymom1 on Aug 26, 2016 9:20:38 GMT -5
Good morning everyone! Before I get to today's topic, I have a crock pot cooking question I hope you can help me with. Here's the deal.
I use a recipe for BBQ chicken that calls for 1.5 pounds of boneless chicken. The recipe says to cook it on high 3-4 hrs or low 6-8 hrs. We always double the recipe (3 pounds) and cook it on high for 4 hours, then turn it to low for another hour. Here's my question: I'm cooking 6 pounds for Shabbat dinner tonight. How long should I cook it? My mom says add another 30 minutes on low. I'm worried it won't be done on time. Can you ladies help me? I need to tell DS25 what to do and what time. Thanks in advance!
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Post by savtele on Aug 26, 2016 10:03:53 GMT -5
Boker Tov All! Love this topic! For me, the spiritual aspects of eating start with the Siddur (prayerbook) and the farmers' market! The various blessings said over various foods before eating them certainly link my physical being to my spiritual side. The cycles of feasting and fasting - with family members and community, are great reminders of the greater spiritual aspects of food. And the Farmers' Market - a veritable synagogue of foods - from the colorful "stained glass" tableau of the mountains of fruits and vegetables - each turned to show a rosy cheek or shiny skin, to the artisanal cheeses, speckled and pastel eggs, jams and jellies, small-batch roasted coffees, and a large display of "Bob's Red Mill" grains & legumes (Let Your Food Be Your Medicine!) Like a choir, around the entire market there is a high shelf, crammed with those hand-woven baskets from Ghana. No matter how hot it is outside, the fans blowing and the spray that spritzes onto the lettuces & parsley manage to keep it cooler inside. There are no clashing colors. Farmers in muddy boots & straw hats pull into the parking lot & unload pick-up trucks, and if you don't know which type of tomato you want to buy, Farmer John (the owner) is happy to cut several different types for you so you can sample them. And right across the parking lot, a bakery has opened - so before heading home, a loaf of fresh bread to round out the experience. (The marbled rye is DH's favorite!) I never mind waiting in line - I've reconnected with old friends & long-lost acquaintances.
One grandson & his family are coming out this afternoon - I need to start some sort of food prep here (and a trip the the FM is no doubt required.)
Lee - what wonderful discussions this week!
Have a good day ladies.
Shabbat Shalom!
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Post by hollygail on Aug 26, 2016 11:23:53 GMT -5
Spirituality and food. What a combo! I too say a blessing before eating to remind myself that although I may have purchased the food at a market, someone else cared for it before it got to the market, and ultimately (going backwards in time), Someone created the seed (or whatever). Works for me.
I have a full day planned. Must leave shortly. Shabbat shalom if I don't get back online today.
Lee, I LOVED this week's topics! Thank you, thank you.
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Post by gazelle18 on Aug 26, 2016 14:00:56 GMT -5
Hi all, and good shabbos. this is just a quick post and run (I have a lotta people comng over for shabbos and am nowhere near ready! talk about food and spirituality!!) I wanted to thank Lee for a great week, and wish all of you a wonderful shabbat and weekend.
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Post by peachymom1 on Aug 26, 2016 14:50:36 GMT -5
Thank you for a wonderful week, Lee. Today is DH's birthday, so we're hosting Shabbat dinner and having presents and such afterward. I think sharing meals with friends and family can be a lovely combination of food and spirituality.
Shabbat shalom!
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lee058
This space for rent
Posts: 23,285
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Post by lee058 on Aug 26, 2016 15:44:16 GMT -5
Hi everybody. I'm so glad you enjoyed this week's topics! I really wanted for us to examine how we could improve our lives and be happier, and we did! Everyone had wonderful ideas, and thank you for sharing them.
Have a peaceful rest of the day plus weekend, Lee
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